CentralPAcff

Skype - iChat Resources: Coach Presenter - Amy Weddle and Dotty Noll

Using Skype and iChat in the Classroom

There are several tools that allow you to connect with other teachers. These software titles include:

Apple iChat (//www.apple.com/macosx/features/ichat///)
Skype with Video (//www.skype.com//)
MSN Messenger (//get.live.com/messenger/features//)
Yahoo Messenger (//messenger.yahoo.com//)
AOL Instant Messenger (//www.aim.com//)
SubEthaEdit (Mac Only) allows you to setup groups, control access to files shared; must be logged in under a name so that users are identifiable.
Using these messaging tools can also be an opportunity to model appropriate use of online chat applications and cover content relating to Internet Safety.
Reference: John Hendron (//edge@vste.org//), Managing Editor, VSTE Edge

IDEAS:

Collaboration With Own School or With Other Schools
- Within the classroom, within your school, within your district, with other schools nationally or internationally
- An exciting change of pace
- Connecting classrooms across the state or nation
  - Can be a way for students to explore the environment around them
  - To connect with students from a different culture
  - Develop skills of working together to achieve a goal
- Establishing teams with other schools is a great way to teach students how to collaborate and accept other's view points
- Review question activity - Teacher sends out the question either verbally or via messaging and students respond with the correct answer
- Manheim Township and Elizabethtown (LA Classes) conducted presentations
  - The Manheim Township class evaluated Elizabethtown's class.

Silent Group Work Without Having To Physically Move Into a Group
- If you have a classroom with limited space
- Allows for the quiet student to have a voice (low risk)
- Reading assignment, teacher gives a prompt for student to respond to via iChat. Students can then see what others are saying and react accordingly.

Work at Home
- Conduct reviews for tests
- Tutoring
- Setup a meeting time to be online

Allows Experts to Be Connected With Students Inexpensively, and Without Having to Travel
- Can be done via one computer and a projector
- Can be done in a lab setting
- Allows time for Q & A without everyone trying to ask at one time; presenter will see all questions and respond accordingly
- Easier to schedule, don't need to worry about travel time
- Guest speakers ( i.e. Stew Albert)

During the Day, Time Savers
- Contact other teachers in their classrooms rather than having to walk there
- Department meetings across the district
- Doing research or assignments, students can transfer information and images to each other

Additional Resources for Online Classroom Ideas using IMing software:

iChat AV and iSight in the Classroom

iSight Ed

iChat in Silent Debate

iChat in Education Lesson Plans

Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing

Seven Things You Should Know About Instant Messaging

Tools for the TEKS

See Me Hear Me: Skype in the Classroom

Online Learning Earns a Net Gain

Using WebCams in the Classroom